'Root Canal' is actually a term used to describe the natural cavity of the tooth - the space within the enamel at the centre of the tooth. This chamber is where the ‘pulp’ of the tooth sits and is also home to the nerve of the tooth. If this area is damaged due to decay or trauma, the material within (including the nerve in some cases) begins to break down and bacteria begin to multiply within the chamber. This can lead to severe and painful infection or an abscessed tooth, and you may need to have a root canal treatment to remove the cause of the infection.
The process
Your dentist will initially take an x-ray of your mouth to see the extent of the damage done to your root canal. They will then place a rubber dam around the tooth to prevent any saliva from infiltrating the area. An access hole will then be drilled into your tooth, and your dentist will clean away the decayed debris causing the infection.
Depending on the case, your dentist may apply a medication to your tooth after cleaning to stave off any further infection. If they feel that this is unnecessary, they may choose to seal up the tooth straight away.
